Understanding the value proposition of health information exchange: the case of uncompensated care cost recovery

This case study examined the use of the Nationwide Health Information Network as a mechanism for secure and interoperable transport of existing clinical data from electronic health records. The context for this study was the secondary use of existing data from MedVirginia, a Virginia Health Information Exchange, for Social Security Administration disability determination. The study found that an estimated U.S. $1.9 million in uncompensated care costs were recovered over a 12‐month period from August 2009 to July 2010, and serves as an example demonstrating that uncompensated care cost recovery is a promising means by which a health information exchange can provide value to healthcare providers.